Species PlantsCatclaw Acacia

Catclaw Acacia

Acacia greggii

CommonPlant
Illustration of Catclaw Acacia (Acacia greggii)

Catclaw Acacia is a thorny shrub or small tree with fragrant yellow flowers. It is well-adapted to desert environments and is known for its ability to fix nitrogen. The plant provides important habitat and food for desert wildlife.

Habitat
It grows in deserts and arid regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Diet
Its flowers provide nectar for bees, and its seeds are eaten by birds and small mammals.
How common
Common

Best time to see a Catclaw Acacia

The best time to see a Catclaw Acacia is December–May, when about 61% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 10,882 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Not certain it is a Catclaw Acacia? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.

Recent Catclaw Acacia sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spot a Catclaw Acacia? Identify it instantly.

Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal for an instant ID, its rarity, and a live map of where it is being seen near you.

Get Huck

Get an alert when a Catclaw Acacia is spotted

Pick a park, state, or city and we’ll email you when one turns up there. One check a day, only when there’s something new.

Free. Unsubscribe from any email. See our Privacy Policy.

Love plants? Get Huck field notes

Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to receive Huck emails. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

More plants

Celandine Poppy
Celandine Poppy
Stylophorum diphyllum
Century Plant
Century Plant
Agave americana
Chain-fruit Cholla
Chain-fruit Cholla
Cylindropuntia fulgida
Chaste Tree
Chaste Tree
Vitex agnus-castus
Checker Lily
Checker Lily
Fritillaria affinis
Checkerbloom
Checkerbloom
Sidalcea malviflora
Cherrybark Oak
Cherrybark Oak
Quercus pagoda
Chickasaw Plum
Chickasaw Plum
Prunus angustifolia